Sam Omale is the governorship candidate of Young Progressive Party, YPP, in Kogi State. In this exclusive interview with DAILY POST, he speaks on his chances of winning the November 11 election, boasting that fraudulent politicians would not buy the conscience of voters. Excerpts!
What is your driving force to be the number one citizen of Kogi State?
Politics determines everything. If you don’t have the political power, no matter your passion, zeal or skills, you can’t execute it. Everything is revolving around politics. By the grace of God, I have the capacity and the skills, having identified the various natural resources that are in this State.
The position of this State puts it in the heart of Nigeria, traversing between the North and South, bounded by 11 States. I feel that by the grace of God I have the capacity to translate this huge potential into a productive business venture that will bring about economic benefit to the people.
What are your chances of winning this election?
The reality on ground is that people are frustrated. People are hungry, and dying. People no longer do parties. Parties have not solved our problem in Kogi State for 32 years. It is not just one government. Parties have been relegated to the background. The Kogites that I interact with are looking for capacity. They are looking for someone who has the definitive, actionable policies that can help them from where they are now to a place where they will have life.
There is no life in Kogi State. People are dying at a very young age. People are suffering in the midst of abundance. Anybody who is thinking of a party will be left behind. Put the people that are running, ask them questions, hear what they say and go through their manifestos, you would know who among us has the capacity and skills to deliver.
What is your take concerning the issues of money politics ahead of the election?
Money is the thing that has brought us to where we are today. It has never worked. When politicians give you money, they have bought you. You have no right to challenge them when they are in power. People should realise that money politics is temporary and it does not translate to development. Who are these people who are taking this money? The money does not go to the grassroots or people who are voting. If you give money out, you are selling your future. I came in purely to change the narrative. This money they are giving you is stolen money. It is not their money. They didn’t work for it. It is taxpayers’ money. They are using it to buy voters which is so ridiculous. People should wake up and endure and say they will go to bed without food. We have lacked many things before, and in my place we were told that hunger does not kill. We have only less than fifty something days to endure hunger we have been enduring for 32 years; say no, I won’t take money. I will be hungry for the next 50 days and I will be liberated. Let your votes not be determined by money.
You are from the Eastern part of Kogi State, there are reports that one candidate from your Senatorial district has been endorsed, are you aware?
No candidate has been endorsed. There are many endorsements out there. It is not even correct to say somebody has been endorsed. The committees that have been endorsing people are procured. So if I buy you as a committee, you will endorse me. Go and read, there are many fake endorsements out there. It is for the highest bidder.
Are you also part of those advocating for Igala Agenda?
No. I will be belittling myself if I come in as an ethnic leader. I want to be the Governor of Kogites. There are no Igala, Okun, or Ebira Kogites, we are all Kogites. If I come in, they are my people. That is what is killing us, politics based on ethnicity. This primordial issue of ethnicity and religion is a third world mentality. I am not going to play it.
What is your message to Kogites ahead of the election?
Look through this candidate, ask them hard questions. Vote from your heart and what you intend to achieve. Do you want to continue in your slavery, fear, or intimidation? Governors are servants. They were applicants that applied for jobs. You gave them the job and you are going to hold them accountable. Who can you hold accountable among us? Who has a good report? Who has the connection, ability, and actionable plans that can translate the vast resources into something that should benefit the people?
These are the questions that Kogites should be asking. Journalists like you should be telling them, endure for the last 50 days, let’s get things right. If we don’t get things right now, it will be a long time. Kogi State is a very ugly and hard State. It is not the fault of one government, it is a collection of 32 years of lack of direction.
What is your rating about Governor Bello’s administration in the last seven and half years?
Governor Bello has done his best. Anybody that is coming should be talking of what he wants to do for Kogites. Every government builds on something. He has done what he wants to do. I will come and build from where he stops. He is gone. You know I have been saying 32 years, you don’t pinpoint one. Anyone who is criticising has nothing to offer. I have the capacity to unearth all the resources here for the benefit of the people of Kogi State.
INTERVIEW: No life in Kogi, people are dying – YPP guber candidate, Omale